Stories for December 2005

Friday, December 30

Southern California gas prices continued downward for the 13th consecutive week, but at a continued slower pace, indicating that the decreases may soon end, said the Automobile Club of Southern California.

Wednesday, December 21

Mike Hansen, director of asset services and general manager of Grossmont shopping center with CB Richard Ellis in San Diego, has been appointed the 2006 chairman of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce.

Converting an 87-year-old brick warehouse into a posh, ultra-hip nightspot in a matter of four months would ultimately take its toll on James Brennan, draining both his emotions and his wallet. Yet the Stingaree opened on time.

Constant sneezing and sniffling are among symptoms collectively known as "sick building syndrome," a term coined as early as the 1970s for discomfort that stems from being in a building with poor indoor air quality.

North Park could evolve into "one of the best communities" in San Diego, according to one local developer, while another predicts that the mere presence of a Starbucks is a sure sign of bullish times ahead.

Friday, December 16

The Ralphs supermarket chain faces federal charges stemming from allegations that it broke labor laws by hiring workers under false names during the longest grocery store strike in Southern California's history.

First Community Bancorp, the Rancho Santa Fe-based parent company to First National Bank, agreed to purchase Foothill Independent Bank based in Glendora for an aggregate price of $238 million in stock and cash.

An index measuring San Diego's overall economic health dropped for the third consecutive month, but the declines were not significant or cause for great concern, according to the University of San Diego economics professor who compiles the data.

Randy "Duke" Cunningham's resignation will cost the former congressman at least $1.8 million. But experts say his departure from an influential congressional subcommittee could cost the San Diego defense industry millions more.

Ocean Garden Products, a San Diego distributor of shrimp and other seafood that is owned by Mexico's import-export bank, was sold in an auction process to a group of Mexican shrimp producers for about $25 million.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2006 optional standard mileage rates, used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Tuesday, December 6

Ocean Garden Products, Inc., a San Diego-based distributor of shrimp and other seafood, was sold by its owner, Mexico's import-export bank, to a partnership of three Mexican food companies in a deal valued at about $25 million.

The 50th Congressional District continues to attract comers since Randy "Duke" Cunningham resigned. California Highway Patrol Sgt. Jeff Newsome, a San Diego native, on Dec. 5 announced plans to file for candidacy later this month.

Although retail profits flourish during the holiday season, sales in many other industries do not. But there may be a new way for industries typically stalled during the holiday season to cash in on the yuletide buying frenzy.

Construction , and leasing activity , is coming along on two new buildings in Liberty Station's Office District, part of the mega-mixed-use project now under way on the grounds of the former Naval Training Center in Point Loma.

San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre , heartened by a Superior Court judge's decision Dec. 2 , said he intends to take "personal control" of a suit he filed this year against eight former city pension board members.

Provide Commerce Inc., the San Diego-based holding company of Proflowers.com and several other Web retailing sites, entered into a definitive agreement Dec. 5 to be acquired by Liberty Media Corp. of Colorado.

This year's matchup for the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl promises to be one of the best ever with the University of Oregon (10-1) from the Pacific-10 Conference playing the University of Oklahoma (7-4) from the Big 12 Conference.

Several well-known consumer brands were bought or sold by Los Angeles-area companies recently, including Claim Jumper Restaurants and Rampage Clothing Co., as merger activity continued at a relatively healthy pace.

Growth at Santa Ana-based Powerwave Technologies Inc. has come through aggressive buying. The deals, including the recent buy of part of Del Mar-based Remec, Inc., have helped stabilize prices by cutting the number of competitors.

Southern California ports, freeways, rail lines, water supplies and even affordable housing projects could get a boost from a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure bond now being crafted in Sacramento for June's statewide ballot.

The scariest and most rewarding business decisions are often one in the same. Just ask Chuck Black, who quit a successful 30-year career in corporate retail management to pursue small-business ownership.

Colliers Macaulay Nicolls Inc., a real estate services company with offices in San Diego, announced it has closed a deal to buy a majority stake in the Los Angeles-area commercial real estate firm of Colliers Seeley International, Inc.

Friday, December 2

The Internal Revenue Service has issued its 2006 optional standard mileage rates, used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

San Diego City Attorney Michael Aguirre on Dec. 1 filed a $100 million malpractice lawsuit against lawyers and accountants who were hired by the city to provide advice and work involving bond offerings made between 1996 and 2003.